Weighing scale



May 21, 1935. H o. vHEM WEIGHING SCALE Filed DGO. 23, 1932 4 Sheets-Sham Hal/Vor U. Hemy In/vento@ @Hornung May 2l, 1935. H. o. HEM

' WEIGHING SCALE Filed Deo. 23, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. O. HEM

WEIGHING SCALE May 21, 193s.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Deo. 23, 1932 May 21, 1935.

H. O. HEM

WEIGHING SCALE Filed Dec. 23, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HUA/0r U. Hem.

ami um* Patented May 21, 1935 UNITED STATES WEIGHING SCALE Halvor 0. Hem, Toledo, Scale Manufacturing hio,-assignorvto Toledo Company, Toledo, Ohio,

a corporation of New Jersey Application December 23, 1932, Serial No. 648,540

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in weighing scales and particularly to scales for use in retail shops. In scales of this type, it has been found desirable for the indicating chart to r havea relatively small automatic indicating capacity'so that the subdivisions of the weight and the computed prices may be widely spaced. This permits the indications to be read with a. greater degree of accuracy. It is usually suflclent that the automatic weighing and computing capacity is ample to weigh the majority of drafts, which are below ten pounds. Drafts oisgreater weight than ten pounds amount to only two or three per centum of the total in the present day food shop.

'I'he principal object of this invention is therefore the provision of improved means whereby the weighing capacity of a scale may be increased.

Another object is the provision of improved means whereby the increase in the weighing capacity is automatically indicated, simultaneously to both the merchant and his customer.

Another object is the provision of an improved lever'system for scales of the type hereinafter described. f

Still another object is ythe. provision of improved manipulative load counterbalancing means.

Another object is the provision oi' an improved unit weight counterbalancing mechanism` A still further object is the provision of improved means for depositing and removing such unit weight with a minimum of effort and a minimum of shock to the weighing mechanism.

A further object is the provision of improved lmeans for transmitting the reeiprocatory'motion of the lever mechanism to the indicating mechanism to convert it into rotative motion.

A still further object is the provision of an improved counterbalancing mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of ymy invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Figure I is a iront elevational view of a scale embodying my invention; the base housingbeing sectioned along thelines I-I of Figure II.

Figure II is a side elevational view of the scale, the base and indicating housings are sectioned along the lines II-II of Figure I, other parts are broken away.

Figure III is a plan view of the base mechanism, the housing and platform being removed.

Figure IV is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the rack foot and its attachment to the lever in detail. 1

Figure V is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the lever locking mechanism.

Figure VI is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the operating parts ofthe locking mechanism.

Figure VII is an enlarged view of the compression stirrup.

Figure VIII is a fragmentary enlarged perspective viewof the price indicating plate and showing a fragment of the chart.

Figure IX is a. fragmentary front elevational view of a. scale showing a modification of the embodiment of myinvention, and

Figure X is an enlarged plan view of the modification, sectioned substantially along the lines X-X of Figure IX.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the base I of the scale is preferably a rigid iron casting having integral fulcrum stands 2 upon which a. main lever 3 is mounted with its fulcrum pivot 31. The main lever 3 being of 'the iirst order is also provided with power pivots 4 from which, by means of a bearing loop 5, a short lever 6 of the third order is suspended by its power pivots 41. In spaced relation with these pivots 41 fulcrum pivot 'l and load pivots II extend laterally outward at each end from the lever. The pivot 1 engages a compression stirrup 8 which bears against a pivot 9 ixed in a bracket I0. 'Ihls bracket is adjustably mounted on the base and in balancing the scale, it may be moved to the proper position and locked by bolts and pinned in place. 'I'he compression stirrup 8 comprises two triangular side plates 81 (Fig. VII) between which three V-grooved bearing blocks 811 are fixed, these engage the pivots 'I and 9 respectively. Thev stirrup 8 is designed to prevent lateral movement of the short lever 6. One end of a load spider I2, rests upon the pivots II, fixed in the short lever 6, the other end resting upon the pivots I3 xed in the main lever 3. rPosts I4 are threaded in the four corners of the spider I2 extending upwardly, supporting a load receiving platter I5. The other end of the main lever 31s provided with a heavy enlarged portion I6 which substantially counterbalances the weight of the spider and platter. Adjacent this enlarged portion and fixed in the arm of the lever 3 is a pivot I1, adapted to engage stirrup I8.

The levers 3, 6 and the spider I2 are designed to lle substantially above each `other in common planes and to define a substantially open rectangular center, thus providing a space on the base I for the positioning of other mechanisms. This lever and spider constructure permits ythe base mechanism to occupy a smaller space, and its disposition permits ready access for cleaning and servicing.

A four-legged stand I9, which in the illustrated embodiment is an integral part of the base I,

although it may be a separate part and fastened to the base, supports a housing 2D. Suitable bearings in the interior of this housing pivotally support a load counterbalancing pendulum 2l. This pendulum includes an eccentrically mounted sector 22 which is adjustably secured to the pendulum stem. A metallic ribbon 23 overlies the arcuate surface of the sector and is fastened to its upper end. The other end of this metallic ribbon is fastened' to the stirrup rod 231 from which the stirrup I6 engaging the pivot i1 in the lever 3, is suspended. .Since the enlarged portion I6 of thele'v'er 3' is suihciently heavy to normally counterbalance the weight oithe spider i2, the commodity receiver I5 and also tdGverbalance' the pendulum 2l, holding the latter` in an inclined'position as shown in Figure I, the action of gravity on a commodity placed on theplatter l5 depresses the lever ends on which the'spider isA resting, thus counterbalancing a proportional amount of the force exerted by the enlarged portiony l'of the lever 3 allowing thisr enlarged weighted end to rise, permitting the pendulum 2l to descend from its elevated Zero position until equilibrium is established.

A knife edge 24 is an integral portion of the pivot i1 which extendsvthrough an arm of the lever 3, (Figure lV) this knife edge is in colinear alignment with the knife edge of the pivot I1 and supports a bearing 25 mounted between arms 6 of a rackffoot 21. This rack foot further comprises a pair of ilexible shock absorbing plates 28 which are riveted to the end'of the foot- 2l spaced from each otherby spacers 29 and'Si. Extending through the shock absorbing plates 28 and the spacer 3G is upwardly extending rack rod 3l, this rod is adapted to lbe locked in proper position by the nuts 33. The otherend of the rack foot 21 curves downwardly so that the apex of a' conical depression 3 4 formed therein lies on a horizontal plane which touches the knife edges i1 and 24. A pair of lip-like projections and 3B extend laterally from the enlarged portion l of the lever 3, the projection 35 lying above and the projection 38 below the end of the rack foot. Through the upper lip-like projection a cone pivot is threaded, the conical end` entering the depression in the rackv foot and forming a fulcrum against which the rack foot bears due to the weight of the rack 32 and rod 3i on the opposite side of the bearing 25. To prevent disengagement, due to shocks caused by a sudden removal of a load, or other causes, a screw 31 having a fiat end is threaded through an aperture in the lip-like projection 3B. The flat end of the screw 31 is so adjusted that it does not contact the end of the rack foot 21 in which the conical depression 34 isY located except when due to a shock there is a tendency for the bearing 25 to become disengaged from its pivot 24. As a further safeguard to eiectively prevent disengagement of these parts, the arms 26 are extended below the back of the pivot so that a pin 5:8 may pass therethrough. As it is essential that the rack rod 3l and the rack32 extend upwardly in a vertical position, the screws 35 and 31 form an adjustment whereby the rack foot 21 may be tilted to eiect the correct position of the rack rod.

Sui-mounting the housing 2U, which supports and houses the load counterbalancing pendulum 2l, is a casing 4i Two horizontally disposed bars 42 are fastened to flanges on either end in the interior of the casing whichv support ball bearingsfl in which the ends of a chart shaft 44v are rotatably mounted. A plurality of skeleton frames 45 are fastened to this chart shaft, these are surrounded by a cylinder 48 or light material on which the weight and value indicia 46 and 41 respectively are printed, etched or otherwise marked.

`When a load placed on a commodity receiver disturbs the existing equilibrium and causes the heavy section I6 of the lever 3 to rise, thc rack which is fulcrumedon it, translates this reciprocatory motion, by the co-operation of a pinion 43 which is secured to the shaft Mi, into rotation of the chart; The chart is thus revolved through an angle which is proportional to the weight oi' the load, and an indicating line or index 5U which is stretched immediately in front of the chart 48 co-opera-tes with the indicia' on the chart to invariably indicate the weight and value o the commodity. A frame`5| having openings a2 and 53 through which the indicia on the chart are visible, is stationed immediately in front of the index 58. The top edges 54 and 56 and the lower edges 55 and 51 of the ira-nie have the prices per pound or other unit values marked thereon, which form factors in calculating the total values of commodities counterbalanced'by the automatic weighing mechanism. The edges are bent inwardly, towards the chart, for the purpose of facilitating the illumination of the figures printed thereon and for ease of reading them.

The mechanism so far described will automatically indicate the weight and value of any coinmodity placed on the platform which is within the automatic counterbalancing capacity and unit value range. In order to increase the weighing capacity of the scale without reducing the movement of the chart for each unit of weight, manipulative counterbalancing capacity increasing means are provided. These capacity increasing means comprise a stand-like bracket 5B having bifurcated ends 59 and 60. It is securely bolted to the base I and into an aperture in the end 59, a fulcrum boit 6| is threaded upon which a unit Weight operating lever 62 is fulcrumed. This lever is made from punched and formed sheet material and is provided with a forked end. The arms which form the fork are provided with arcuate slots 69 which are substantially in a vertical position therein. These arcuate slots engage trunnions 68 which extend from a substantially cylindrical unit weight 61. The other end of this lever G2 has a roller 65 mounted between its punched arms. To receive the unit weight 61 the lever 3 is provided with inwardly extending weight rests 10. These rests are disposed adjacent the heavy end of the lever at a distance from its fulcrum so that the unit weight itself may be of small size and yet counterbalance a considerable weight on the platform of the scale. The operation of these capacity increasing means is as follows. A shaft B3 which extends through. apertures provided respectively in the end G0 of the bracket 58 and the bracket 2 is provided with. a crank 1l secure to that portion of the shaft 83 which extends beyond a base cover El which resting on the base effectively encloses and protects the base mechanism. The other end of the shaft 63 has fastened to it a cam S4 which is adapted to engage the roller 65 in the lever 67. which when turned by the crank 1I permits the bifurcated end of the lever to be lowered and deposit the trunnions 68 of the unit weight 61 on the weight leads 10. In the embodiment herein shown the weightl of the unit weight is so CII calculated that it counterbalances a load equal to the automatic counterbalancing capacity of the scale so that when assuming that the automatic capacity of the scale is pounds, ar 10- pound weight on the platter has revolved the chart to its maximum load position its deposition on the lever causes the chart to be revolved into its original zero position so that loads having twice the weight of the automatic capacity of the scale may be weighed.

Since the value computations on the chart in this embodiment of my invention are not increased when the weighing capacity of the scale is doubled I have provided the computed values of all the unit prices at the maximum capacity of the chart on the edges 54 and 56 of the frame 5I so that the operator of the scale by the simple addition of this value plus the value indicated by the chart may readily determine the total cost oi' a load when the capacity is manipulatively augmented.

Seriousferrors would arise, should the merchant forgetto add either the weight or the value of the ten pounds offset by the unit weight, therefore, means have been provided to indicate automatically and reliably when this addition should be made. Since theposition of the lever 62 is always in fixed relation to the position of the unit weight, these indicating means are actuated by it. A lconnecting link 13 is pivoted to the long arm of the `lever 82, its other end being connected to a crank arm 14 fastened to a crank shaft 15. This crank shaft is journaled between an integral portion of the base l and a collar 16 which surrounds an upwardly extending pin 11 studded into the base and which also serves to guide the lever 62 and prevent its lateral displacement. A

'second crank arm 'I8 is secured to the other end of the crank shaft and is connected by a member 8| and a crank arm 82 to a vertically disposed rod 19, extending through one of the protecting tubes 80 which connect the base housing I1 and the casing 4I. The other protecting tube 8l)r similarly furnishes a passage for the rack rod 3|. The upper end of the rod 'i9 (Figure I) is provided withr a horizontally extending crank arm 82 and connected by a member 83 to a two-armed member 84 pivot-ed by screw 861 underneath and straddling the chart 48 within the casing M. Each of the arms of the member 84 has a ash or target 85 which bear characters denoting the number of pounds oiset by the unit weight B1 that is, the amount which must be added to the amount indicated by the chart. This indication is readily visible through windows 86 and 81 in f the casing 4l on the customers and merchants sides respectively when the unit weight is deposited on the rests of the lever 3. It will be readily seen that the mechanism sor far described and illustrated is well adapted to efficiently and accurately indicate the amount to be added to the chart indication and thus prevent nancial losses and loss of business prestige.

For a further safe-guard against errors and losses, a compulsory locking mechanism is provided. This mechanism automatically locks the weighing mechanism when Ythe position of the unit weight is disturbed and releases it only after the unit weight is deposited properly on the lever 3 or is freely disengaged from it.l A disc 88 having kerfs 881 and 8811 (Figures V and VI) is secured to the unit weight operating shaft 63. A bifurcated member 89 is adapted to straddle the disc 88. The sides of the bifurcated member 89 are provided with slots 891 which straddle the ber 89, the other end passes through an aperture in a lug 981 depending from the four-legged stand I9. A locking member 9|, equipped with a series oi teeth 9|1 is fastened to the end of the locking rod 90, and these teeth are adapted to engage teeth formed in a plate 92 fastened to the enlarged counterbalancing portion i6 of the lever 3. A compression spring 94 is interposed between the lug 98 and the locking member 9| and constantly urges the locking member 9| out of engagement with the teeth of the plate 92. When the shaft 63 is turned to deposit the unit Weight on the lever, for the purpose of increasing the weighing capacity of the scale, the disc 88 which is fastened to it, revolves with it. A pin 93 which extends between the bifurcation of the member 88 which in the unlocked position rests within the kerf 881 is forced out by this movement, and the horizontally extending locking rod 90 being attached to the bifurcated member 89 is thus forced inwardly until the teeth on the member 9| engage the teeth on the plate 92. This effectively prevents any movement of the lever 3 until the disc 88 has revolved through 180 degrees and the pin 93 urged by the compression spring 94 enters the kerf 8811. Since it takes a revolution through 180 degrees to deposit or remove the unit weight 81 on the lever 3, it will be seen that no weighing operations can be performed unless the unit weight is in the proper position. A dash pot 95 serves to damp the vibrations of the mechanism.

A modied form of my improved device is shown in Figure IX. In this embodiment two overlapping pendulums 2 la are mounted on suitable bearings in the housing a. They are mounted so as to swing adjacent each other in opposite directions. Sectors 22o form adjustable parts of these pendulums. These are eccentrieally fulcrumed and have an arcuate surfaceand are connected to the pivots in the lever 3--a by metallic ribbons 23a which are fastened to the upper end of the sectors and overlie their arcuate surfaces. Being directly connected to the lever 3, and acting in opposed directions errors due to an out-of-level'position of the scale are automatically prevented. When the scale is in an out-of-level position, in the plane of the movement of the pendulum, the weight moment of oner of the counterbalancing pendulums 2Ia decreases, but automatically the moment of the other pendulum lia increases an equal amount so that the continued counterbalancing moment of the pair remains constant.

It is. obvious that the scale hereinbefore described is Well suited to fulfill the objects primarily stated and it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein shown and described are susceptible to variation, modication, and change Within the spirit and scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, in combination, a base,y load supporting lever mechanism comprising a lever of the rst order and a` lever of the third order, mounted thereon, each of said levers having fulcrum, load and power pivots, said lever of the first order also having an intermediate pivot, a link connecting the intermediate pivot of adjustably mounted on said base, said bracket having a pair of laterally extending pivots, a compression stirrup having a pair of bearings for engaging said laterally extending pivots of said bracket, and a single bearing engaging the fulc Lun pivot of said lever or" the third order.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, load receiving mechanism, automatic pendulum load counterbalancing mechanism and indicating means in co-operative relation to each other, a unit Weight mechanism adapted to manually actuate said unit Weight, said load receiving mechanism comprising a lever oi the first rder and a lever of the third order, said levers having iulcrum, load and power pivots, said power pivot of said lever of the first order operatively engaging said automatic load ccunterbalancing mechanism and means adjacent said pciver pivot ci said lever of the first order for supporting said unit weight, a spider resting on said load pivots and overlying s id levers, levers and spider lying substantially in common vertical plane.

3. In a device of the class described, coinbination, a base, lcac receiving inecbanisnimciuited upon said base, said load receiving mechanism comprising a lever of the nrst order and a lever 01"' the third order, said lever of the first order being fulcrumed upon supports extending from said base, a fulcriun bracket having laterally extending pivots secured to said base, said lever of the third order iuiderlying said lever of the 'st order and being connected to said lever of the rst order by a link and fulcrurned by means of a compression stirrup on pivots projecting from said fulcrum bracket, said compression stirrup comprising a triangular frame and a bearing pivotally mounted in each oi the corners of said frame.

fl. In a device ci the class described, in combination, Weighing mechanism, automatic load counterbalancing and indicating means connected thereto, manually manipulative load counterbalancing means in operative relation thereto, indicating means actuated thereby, said automatic indicating means comprising a rotatable cylindrical chart and said indicating means for said manipulative load counterbalancing means including a tivo-armed member pivoted below said chart and having portions extending above the plane of the lower edge of said cylindrical chart.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, Weighing mechanism, automatic load counterbalancing and indicatingmeans connected thereto, manually manipulative load counterbalancing means in operative relation thereto, indicating means actuated thereby, said automatic indicating means comprising a rotatable cylindrical chart and said indicating means for said manipulative load ccunterbalancing means including a two-armed member pivoted belovir said chart and having portions extending above the plane of the lower edge oi said cylindrical chart, the ends of said upwardly extending portions having surfaces Which bear indicia, denoting Weights of loads offset by said manipulative load counterbalancing means.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, load receiving means, automatic load counterbalancing means operatively connected thereto, automatic indicating means actuated thereby, manipulative load offsetting and indicating means, associated with said automatic means, to augment the Weighing capacity of said device, said manipulative load offsetting means comprising a lever, a unit Weight adapted to be placed on said receiving means and to be removed therefrom by said lever, said automatic indicating means including a cylindrical chart adapted to rotate about an axis, said manipulative load offsetting indicating means including an indicia bearing member adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said cylindrical automatically indicating chart and moans operatively connected to said unit weight actua ting lever for rotating said manipulative load offsetting indicating means.

'l'. In a device of the class described, in combination, load receiving means, automatic load counterbalancing means operatively connected thereto, automatic indicating means actuated thereby, manipulative load offsetting and indicating means associated with said automatic means to augment the weighing capacity of said device, said manipulative load offsetting means comprising a lever, a unit Weight adapted to be placed on said rc i ing means and to be removed therefrom, by said lever, said automatic indicating means including a cylindrical chart adapted to rotate about an axis, said manipulative load odset-ting indicating means including an indicia bearing member adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said cylindrical automatically indicating chart and means operatively connected to said unit Weight '.ve load ofisctting indication actuating means including a link pivotally secured to said unit Weight actuating lever and a crank-like member.

S. In a device ci the class described, in combination, automatic load counterbalancing mechanisrn a part thereof having a serrated face, manimilative load offlsetting means associated therewith, means including a kerfed disc-like rotatable member for actuating said manipulative load offsetting means, means for automatically lcclring said automatic load counterbalancing mechanism when said manipulative load offsetting means are being actuated, said locking means comprising a member, adapted to embrace said keried disc-like member a part of said embracing member thereof being adapted to enter the kerfs, a rod like member mounted for slida.- ble movement connected to said embracing member and having serrations on its end, said serra.- tions being adapted to engage said serrated face of said automatic load counterbalancing mecha.- nism part.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, automatic load counter-balancing mechanism a part theerof having a serrated face, m9.- nipulative load offsetting means associated therewith, means including a kerfed disc-like rotatable member for actuatin.rT said manipulative load oisetting means, means for automatically locking said automatic load counterbalancing mechanism when said manipulative load offsetting means are being actuated, said locking means comprising a member adapted to embrace said kerfed disc-like member, and a rod like member mounted for slidable movement connected to said embracing member and having serrations on its end, said serrations being adapted to engage said serrated face of said automatic load counterbalancing mechanism part said rod like member being constrained to move in a path parallel to a horizontal axis passing through said disc-like member.

HALVOR O, HEM. 

